POUGHKEEPSIE – Ronette Ricketts, the former Poughkeepsie High School teacher who stabbed a fellow teacher at least 16 times with a screwdriver on December 15, 2011, was sentenced in Dutchess County Court on Thursday to 3½ years in state prison plus five years of parole when she is released.

Ricketts, 40, then an English teacher, pled guilty last October to a felony of first-degree attempted manslaughter for stabbing Cynthia Glozier in the back, neck and chest.

At the time of her guilty plea, it was noted in court that Ricketts believed her job was in jeopardy leading to an emotional disturbance on her part. She had originally been charged with attempted murder.

Ricketts apologized in court on Thursday and Judge Peter Forman issued an order of protection against Ricketts from having any contact with the victim until 2024.